Water Safety

Find out what you can do to maintain a safe water supply to your home.

Severn Trent Water is responsible for ensuring your water supply is safe to use, but there are also things you can do to protect yourself from harmful bacteria.

Hot and cold-water systems

Bacteria breeds at lower temperatures. To help prevent the build-up of bacteria, combi boilers and domestic hot water cylinders should always be set to a minimum of 60 degrees. After returning home from a long period away, you should flush out any bacteria. You can do this by heating up your water heating system to the normal temperature, turning on any hot taps and showers, and letting the water run for at least five minutes. Cold taps should be flushed until the water runs cold.

Keep your taps and showers clean

Keep taps and shower heads clean by wiping them down with an anti-bacterial wipe or an anti-bacterial spray weekly. 

Outside taps and other appliances

If your property is fitted with an outside tap, please make sure it is fitted with a double-check valve to prevent backflow.